“I started smoking due to peer pressure when I was 17 years old. It was the thing to do at that time, and there didn’t seem to be much publicity about the dangers of smoking back then, it was just seen as cool. I smoked 20 cigarettes a day ever since, for roughly 50 years.
I tried a few times to quit, initially trying on my own and lasted about six weeks. A few years later I came to SmokeFree Hull and quit three or four times. I was always embarrassed to come back to the service, and tried to do it myself initially, but I never really had the motivation to succeed before.
The final straw was when I went to get a lung health check from my GP. The reading was clear, but I wanted to keep it that way. I struggle with asthma and I decided that I wanted to get healthy.
The lung health check programme referred me to SmokeFree Hull again, and I started my treatment on nicotine patches and an inhalator. I didn’t really experience any cravings whilst on the stop smoking products, the inhalator gave me the ‘hand to mouth’ action that I needed from smoking, and the patches dulled my other cravings.
Smoking used to be a big part of my life, I would smoke with friends on my lunch breaks from work, it broke up my day, and I looked forward to it. It was a habitual routine, like when the phone rang, I would automatically reach for a cigarette.
Since stopping smoking, I can now walk and talk at the same time without being out of breath.
I really enjoy walking and now my breathing is so much easier, I have more endurance. My family are delighted that I’ve stopped smoking, I can play with my grandchildren for longer, and I just feel much healthier in myself.
I feel like I have more time, too. Smoking structured my life; I would always be thinking where my next cigarette would be coming from, at work, on my break, at home, so I have more time to focus on other things now.
One of the biggest changes is the money. I’ve been able to put aside the money that I would have spent on cigarettes into a separate bank account, so I can treat myself. I’ve bought clothes, I’ve been on trips away to Cornwall last summer, and my friend and I are looking into going to Dundee. It’s nice knowing that I have this extra money now, and I keep it separate so I can see my achievement. I also used the stop smoking app, which is great to calculate how much you’re saving to keep you motivated!
It is difficult to quit at first. My husband smokes and I could still smell it everywhere, but now he smokes outside. I feel sorry for people who smoke now, stood out in the cold, having that fear of running out of cigarettes.
I think what worked this time over my last attempts was that I was honest with myself and my Stop Smoking Advisor Jo. I had 'cheated' before, and had the odd slip up, but this time I knew I was smokefree and that Jo was on the line if I needed help.
I also joined a Facebook group which was very supportive, but after a while it reminded me of cigarettes, so I had to come away from it. But I have been on recently to offer my support to others.
My advice to anyone wanting to stop smoking would be to try it, you might not succeed this time, but keep trying as there’s nothing to be afraid of.
It’s got to be the right time in your life to quit. It was the right time for me, I’m 68 years old and I didn’t want to ruin my life - if I didn’t do it now, I never would. My stepfather died of COPD and heart failure in his mid-70s and he suffered for a long time.
The SmokeFree Hull service is really friendly, and Jo was helpful, always there to talk with no condemnation. She was warm and supportive, giving me praise, which I respond really well to, and the service can be flexible with your products. I had remote support on the telephone as it fitted in well with my work schedule, the service is really built around your personal needs which is fantastic.
It's great to be free of cigarettes, I’m not beholden to them anymore, which makes life, travelling and family easier.
I’ve now been smoke free for a one year and nine days which is really satisfying.”
If you’d like free support in stopping smoking contact, SmokeFree Hull on 01482 977617.